THE GIRL DE-CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Wildness, wonder and being a woman

Written by: Rachel Gardner

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Price: £12.99

Self-help books are not usually the fodder of Life and Work’s reviews pages.

However, an exception can be made for this work, written by Gardner, the President of the Girls’ Brigade (England and Wales) and leader of the national team at the charity Youthscape, as she endeavours to encourage Christian women of all ages to be what they should be and not driven by insecurity or a lack of confidence.

The book is not for the faint-hearted as, drawing on her personal experience, it graphically tackles sometimes taboo subjects such as women’s bodies, desire and perfection – but always rooted in a love of Christ and always encouraging readers to have faith in God.

She is also honest about the premise behind the book: it was written as encouragement amid the growing awareness of her six- year-old daughter that there are places that women are not along with a concern for all other girls and women to be empowered and achieve their full potential, not just in the UK, but across the globe.

The book is rooted in deep spirituality and Christianity – evidenced by regular biblical reference – but is unswerving in its unstinting message that women should have confidence in themselves but also to have faith in a God who loves them as they are.

FAITHEISM

Written by: Krish Kandiah

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Price: £14.99

This book is not only intended to foster greater understanding between committed Christians and committed Atheists but to also show that there is much common ground between those at both ends of the Christian/Atheism spectrum.

Centring on his wide experience in mission and work with the charity Tearfund, along with the adoption and fostering charity that he founded, Home for Good, he demonstrates that the potential for understanding between people of faith and not is far greater than may have been anticipated.

Challenging common misconceptions such as ‘Christians are weird, Atheists are normal’ he seeks to show that there is common ground for mutual understanding and respect of all faith positions – and none, exploring and dispelling common myths such as ‘Christians are Warmongers/Athiests are Peacemakers.

Kandiah does not expect anyone to change their position as a result of reading his book, but rather to foster greater understanding, communication and respect for people of faith and people with none through human commonality and purpose.

Lynne McNeil